WOODWORKING-INDUSTRY

PULMONARY EFFECTS OF SIMULTANEOUS EXPOSURES TO MDI FORMALDEHYDE AND WOOD DUST ON WORKERS IN AN ORIENTED STRAND BOARD PLANT

A study of respiratory effects associated with exposure to methylene-diisocyanate (MDI), phenol-formaldehyde, and wood dust in an oriented strand board (OSB) factory was conducted. The cohort was comprised of 127 males, mean age 33.1 years, employed in an OSB factory. The comparisons were 165 healthy male and female workers from the same geographic area. The prevalence of respiratory symptoms such as phlegm, dyspnea, wheezing, wheezing with chest tightness, and chest tightness was significantly higher in the OSB workers than in the comparisons. The OSB workers were significantly more likely to have a history of asthma than the comparisons. The prevalence of atopy, determined from the skin prick test responses, was similar in both groups. The authors conclude that employment in the OSB factory is associated with definite effects on respiratory health. The data emphasize the importance of MDI, and possibly formaldehyde and wood dust, in producing airway dysfunction and symptoms in exposed workers in the wood products industry.

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 37(4):461-465, 1995. (28 references)

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